Guatemala's Prez Strikes New Course with Apology to Cuba

Thought this was interesting, given the 1954 U.S.-led overthrow of the democratically elected government in Guatemala and the subsequent failure of our invasion in 1961 of Cuba.

The newly elected president of Guatemala, Alvaro Colom, has apologized to Fidel Castro and Cuba for allowing Guatemalan land to be used as CIA training bases for participants in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. He says his decision is a gesture of "friendship and brotherhood" between the 2 countries. Colom also criticized the continuing U.S. embargo of Cuba.

It's good to see Guatemala stand up against the U.S., given our past meddling there. Due to Communist panic at the time, the CIA led a coup in 1954 that toppled the government of Jacobo Arbenz Guzman. Instead of bringing peace to the country, it unleashed decades of dictatorial rule and death. But hey, there weren't no Commies, so it's ok!

With his election, Colom is the first leftist president in Guatemala in more than 50 years. Interestingly, he's also an honorary Mayan priest, an honor bestowed on him as thanks for his past work assisting the beleaguered ethnic Mayan majority.

And if you want to read a depressing chapter in American foreign policy and corporate recklessness, brush up on the history of United Fruit/Chiquita in Guatemala. Who knew eating a banana was such a moral quagmire?

Guatemala's Prez Strikes New Course with Apology to Cuba

Thought this was interesting, given the 1954 U.S.-led overthrow of the democratically elected government in Guatemala and the subsequent failure of our invasion in 1961 of Cuba.

The newly elected president of Guatemala, Alvaro Colom, has apologized to Fidel Castro and Cuba for allowing Guatemalan land to be used as CIA training bases for participants in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. He says his decision is a gesture of "friendship and brotherhood" between the 2 countries. Colom also criticized the continuing U.S. embargo of Cuba.

It's good to see Guatemala stand up against the U.S., given our past meddling there. Due to Communist panic at the time, the CIA led a coup in 1954 that toppled the government of Jacobo Arbenz Guzman. Instead of bringing peace to the country, it unleashed decades of dictatorial rule and death. But hey, there weren't no Commies, so it's ok!

With his election, Colom is the first leftist president in Guatemala in more than 50 years. Interestingly, he's also an honorary Mayan priest, an honor bestowed on him as thanks for his past work assisting the beleaguered ethnic Mayan majority.

And if you want to read a depressing chapter in American foreign policy and corporate recklessness, brush up on the history of United Fruit/Chiquita in Guatemala. Who knew eating a banana was such a moral quagmire?

Obama to Help Reunite and Strengthen Cuban Families By Easing U.S. Restrictions

This may be old news, but I was excited to read it. After about 50 years of restrictions that have done nothing to overthrow Cuba's Communist government, Obama has indicated he will reverse these measures and actually help families instead of adhering to some cold, dead policy.

The article says Obama will do away with restrictions on when and how often Cuban-Americans can return to the island to visit relatives as well as restrictions on sending cash to relatives. Otherwise, Obama appears to support the ridiculous U.S. embargo against Cuba, but at least this is a move in the right direction.

I support this change because it only hurts average Cuban families and does nothing to hurt the Castro government. Cuba is not a democracy where the population can put pressure on its leaders to do anything. They merely suffer under threat of imprisonment, violence or intimidation.

I have a friend whose adult daughter and grandchild still live in Cuba. She can't go back to visit nor can she respond to her daughter's letters with any financial assistance. My friend and her husband have done fairly well since coming to the U.S., but she still wishes to do what any mother would do and help her daughter and grandchild who remain in Cuba.

The U.S. needs to stop giving the Castros any ammunition for their assault on the Cuban people, and I hope Obama will do even more when he becomes president.

Obama to Help Reunite and Strengthen Cuban Families By Easing U.S. Restrictions

This may be old news, but I was excited to read it. After about 50 years of restrictions that have done nothing to overthrow Cuba's Communist government, Obama has indicated he will reverse these measures and actually help families instead of adhering to some cold, dead policy.

The article says Obama will do away with restrictions on when and how often Cuban-Americans can return to the island to visit relatives as well as restrictions on sending cash to relatives. Otherwise, Obama appears to support the ridiculous U.S. embargo against Cuba, but at least this is a move in the right direction.

I support this change because it only hurts average Cuban families and does nothing to hurt the Castro government. Cuba is not a democracy where the population can put pressure on its leaders to do anything. They merely suffer under threat of imprisonment, violence or intimidation.

I have a friend whose adult daughter and grandchild still live in Cuba. She can't go back to visit nor can she respond to her daughter's letters with any financial assistance. My friend and her husband have done fairly well since coming to the U.S., but she still wishes to do what any mother would do and help her daughter and grandchild who remain in Cuba.

The U.S. needs to stop giving the Castros any ammunition for their assault on the Cuban people, and I hope Obama will do even more when he becomes president.